Huntington Library president Steven Koblik at the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery of the Huntington Library on Aug. 15, 2013 in San Marino, Calif. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News)

SAN MARINO >> The man who helped solidify the financial foundation of The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens announced his retirement Wednesday.

Huntington President Steven S. Koblik will step down June 30, 2015, from the institution. Huntington officials credit him with turning the facility “into a dynamic and thriving intellectual and cultural center.”

The reason for the disclosure 16 months in advance of the retirement date is a practical one.

“It takes about nine months for a presidential search,” Koblik explained. “I had promised the board to give them a proper amount of time to run a search.”

The decision to retire was not a simple one.

“It’s always a combination of things,” said Koblik, who assumed the presidency in September 2001.

“I always had the view in any job to give the best you can, and I think I have,” he said.

Koblik, 72, said it’s the right time to plan his departure since the Huntington is doing well.

“I’ll be handing it off to the next person to go off in a strong fashion,” he said.

“I’m just thankful that we have been fortunate enough to have had the leadership of someone the caliber of Steve to lead the Huntington these past years,” San Marino Mayor Dennis Kneier said. “I’m sorry to see that his time here will come to an end.”

Under Koblik’s guidance, the Huntington raised about $700 million, and its endowment grew from $153 million to $450 million between 2001 and the end of 2013.

“The dominant challenge when I came on board was financial,” he said. “Of course it continues to be a top priority, but we’ve done well.”

In July 2004, Koblik and his team publicly launched the largest capital campaign in the Huntington’s history — “For Generations to Come.” It was a comprehensive six-year initiative to raise $175 million in annual capital and endowment gifts, according to an official release.

The money would be used to sustain current programs, strengthen physical infrastructures and safeguard Huntington’s future.

“The institution had been struggling,” said Stewart Smith,chairman of the Huntington Board of Trustees. “Steve was brought in to follow then-president Bob Skotheim’s good work in trying to put it on better financial footing.”

Fundraising, Koblik explained, was more about building relationships than it is about the money.

“You have to find people who are passionate about what you are doing or you have to create that passion,” Koblik said.

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Several major capital projects were completed under Koblik’s leadership, officials said, most recently the renovation and restoration of the Japanese Garden in April 2012.

The goal of the project was to protect the garden’s historical aspect, while enhancing it with a tea garden, a new waterfall, and increased accessibility.

Koblik’s exit will coincide with the opening of the Education Visitors Center, which will sit on six acres, and will include new gardens, a series of buildings, two auditoriums, a patio, restaurant and a boardroom.

“It’s a huge project for us,” he said, at a cost of $60 million.

“The Huntington has undergone a lot of growth under Steve’s leadership,” San Marino City Manager John Schaefer said. “It’s a difficult job, but he’s done a terrific job balancing the concerns of the community and the needs of the Huntington.”

Another area that needed improvement, and closer to Koblik’s heart, was growing the Huntington’s different audiences, including the African-American, Chinese and Latino communities.

There was a real interest, he said, especially in gardening, by the African-American community.

A Huntington curator talked to schools and community members about the history of the African-American experience in Southern California.

The area’s Chinese community has “really been engaged over the Chinese Garden,” Koblik said.

The partnership with Esteban Torres High School in East Los Angeles has proved very satisfying for both parties, he said.

“I’m an educator, and I know that the capacity of young people to learn is limited by exposure,” Koblik explained. “It’s magical to see these young people, who are so open-minded, take in what we have to offer here at the Huntington.”

This observation is more than as a president speaking of his institution. It’s personal.

“My wife and I have photos of our children in their strollers during visits at the Huntington,” Koblik said.

He called his association with the Huntington, “a lifelong love affair.”

“When you come to the Huntington, you’re going to have a positive experience, and that’s what I’ve experienced here.”